By Rasheeda Hamidu
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi distributed river clearance and environmental management equipment to 15 community-based organisations in Auyo Local Government Area to reduce flood risks, protect livelihoods and improve water flow through community-led river management.
The distribution programme was implemented on Saturday through the Jigawa State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and targets communities along the Hadejia, Auyo and Komadugu river corridors stretching from Ringim Local Government Area to border communities linking Jigawa and Yobe states.
Governor Umar Namadi said during the launch in Auyo that “government alone cannot win the fight against environmental degradation and recurring floods”.
NatureNews notes that the National Emergency Management Agency recently identified more than 148 communities across 17 local government areas of Jigawa State as being at high risk of flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
According to the Jigawa State Government, the equipment distributed includes 25 boats, more than 10,000 sacks, 500 spades, 500 shovels, 200 axes, 1,000 cutlasses, 500 rakes, 300 hoes and 100 ploughs for river clearance and environmental sanitation activities.
Namadi explained that regular river dredging and the removal of invasive weeds and other obstructions are necessary to ensure the free flow of water, support agriculture and livestock production and preserve aquatic ecosystems.
The governor further stated that the initiative builds on a similar programme introduced in Ringim in 2024 that improved water flow and reduced flooding in affected communities.
According to Namadi, the state government has acquired two additional amphibious excavators through the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Programme to strengthen dredging operations.
The governor reported that Jigawa now has six operational amphibious excavators working across its river basins, including two owned by the state and two provided by the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority.
Namadi disclosed that the machines have dredged more than 180 kilometres of rivers and water channels across the state to improve water flow and reduce flood risks in vulnerable communities.
Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change Dr Nura Kazaure stated that the annual distribution programme reflects the government’s commitment to environmental conservation, community empowerment and sustainable management of natural resources.
Kazaure warned that pollution and blocked waterways continue to threaten agriculture, fisheries and livelihoods and urged residents, traditional rulers and community leaders to support efforts to keep rivers clean and accessible.
The commissioner added that the materials represent an investment in safer communities, improved food security and a healthier environment.
NatureNews tracks flood preparedness, river restoration and climate adaptation measures as part of its coverage of environmental resilience and community protection across Nigeria and Africa.
